I was born in Rouyn-Noranda and now living in Quebec City and I can actually say I prefer Rouyn-Noranda's weather. It's colder but drier and less windy, so more comfortable. But for the rest... Quebec City all the way.

I sure do. Often times Europeans are some of the funnest players to watch.

Do you not? (not looking to argue, but just want to hear your reasoning).

Simply put to bring more imports would affect the Canadian development system since there is one less spot for young Canadian players on the team and the goal of the CHL is to develop Canadian talent. Yes in some cases the Euros are the most talented on the team but to have a roster littered with them would certainly not benefit hockey Canada, We are seeing this in our goal-tending, since many Euro goalie imports are drafted recently, the Canadian goalies are getting less playing time and the young promising prospects on a team are spending seasons in junior B because there is no room for them.

Simply put to bring more imports would affect the Canadian development system since there is one less spot for young Canadian players on the team and the goal of the CHL is to develop Canadian talent. Yes in some cases the Euros are the most talented on the team but to have a roster littered with them would certainly not benefit hockey Canada, We are seeing this in our goal-tending, since many Euro goalie imports are drafted recently, the Canadian goalies are getting less playing time and the young promising prospects on a team are spending seasons in junior B because there is no room for them.

Fair enough. If the point of the CHL is solely for development of Canadian players, then you make a good point.

As far as an on ice product is concerned, and even as far as a marketable business is concerned, they'd do well to bring more young European talent over.

Since they do currently allow for 2 Europeans on each team, they do have some balance.

Personally, I care more about the product than I do Canada winning gold every year, so I'd love to see more Europeans.

Then why don't we abandon all restrictions and limits, let as many as possible come like the English Premier League in soccer and see how this "benefits" our hockey..

I have no idea who you're referencing with "our" hockey, but I fail to see how removing any barrier outside of talent, age, and team compatibility would be anything but a benefit to our game. (That "our" references hockey fandom in general.)

Edit: Another multi-point game? Wow, hope some of this translates to the pro level. Kid seems to be ripping it up.

The development of soccer players in England (and all of Europe for that matter) is completely different than the development of hockey players in Canada.

Take Germany or Spain for instance, they have the same lack of restrictions as England, and they're arguable the two most dominant nations of the biggest sport in the world.

Also, EPL, La Liga, and Bundesliga et all are professional leagues. Our professional league, the NHL, also allows for as many internationals as can effectively play NHL hockey.

A professional soccer league isn't a valid comparison.

I brought up soccer because many of the top teams in the EPL have many foreigners and they make up a large majority of the academys as well in England. La Liga and Bundesliga still have many players of their respective native countrys developing throught the systems and the leagues of their home country.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptBrannigan

I have no idea who you're referencing with "our" hockey, but I fail to see how removing any barrier outside of talent, age, and team compatibility would be anything but a benefit to our game. (That "our" references hockey fandom in general.)

Edit: Another multi-point game? Wow, hope some of this translates to the pro level. Kid seems to be ripping it up.

By our I meant Canadian hockey, the NHL is a professional league its different obviously there would be many international players. The CHL however is a developmental league whos main task is of course to develop young players. Many Europeans complain time and time again how the influx of players from Europe to the CHL is negatively affecting the development of their players. Imo two import players is enough but more than that is pushing it is all I'm saying.

I brought up soccer because many of the top teams in the EPL have many foreigners and they make up a large majority of the academys as well in England. La Liga and Bundesliga still have many players of their respective native countrys developing throught the systems and the leagues of their home country.

The problem for English football development isn't the amount of foreign imports, it's the way we develop talents in the first place.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wings5

By our I meant Canadian hockey, the NHL is a professional league its different obviously there would be many international players. The CHL however is a developmental league whos main task is of course to develop young players. Many Europeans complain time and time again how the influx of players from Europe to the CHL is negatively affecting the development of their players. Imo two import players is enough but more than that is pushing it is all I'm saying.

I would prefer a one import limit, purely because statistics show that it does have a negative impact on the development of European talent. Staying at home for longer is usually advisable.

Of course it is an archaic rule to an extent, and in theory nationality and patriotism is nonsense. However in this instance when it affects talent development so much, i think removing the limitations would only do more damage (Not for Canada).